Burning Man
Each year in late August, Black Rock City, a temporary city of over 70,000, appears in western Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. This amazing art festival takes place on Federal land under a permit issued by the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM requires that nothing be left behind after the 9-day event ends, which makes Burning Man the largest “leave-no-trace” event on the planet.
Using our Cessna Caravans, we fly shuttles to and from Black Rock City Airport (88NV), generally from Reno and the Bay Area, along with other Part 135 companies operating under Burner Express Air (BxA). BxA is part of the Burning Man parent organization, Black Rock City LLC, and books and schedules air transportation to and from Black Rock City. The operation is unique- we fly from busy Class B or C airspace and land on a temporary runway marked out on the playa. Think Oshkosh- except in the dirt!
There are many GA flights to and from 88NV- for general information on the airport, check the airport website.
All pilots, Part 91 and 135, flying to Black Rock Airport (88NV) must read the Pilot Advisory, register, and then take the training course and test. Upon completion, you’ll be issued a pilot registration number which you’ll need to give to the Westwind Chief Pilot or assistant. Westwind updates a binder for each airplane going to Burning Man, containing VFR approach procedures and airport diagrams for each of the airports we expect to operate out of, and any other required documents. This binder must be onboard the aircraft during all flights to and from 88NV. The binders are stored in the Chief Pilot’s office and can be referred to between events.